2.086 | Spring 2013 | Undergraduate

Numerical Computation for Mechanical Engineers

Course Description

This class introduces elementary programming concepts including variable types, data structures, and flow control. After an introduction to linear algebra and probability, it covers numerical methods relevant to mechanical engineering, including approximation (interpolation, least squares and statistical regression), …
This class introduces elementary programming concepts including variable types, data structures, and flow control. After an introduction to linear algebra and probability, it covers numerical methods relevant to mechanical engineering, including approximation (interpolation, least squares and statistical regression), integration, solution of linear and nonlinear equations, ordinary differential equations, and deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Examples are drawn from mechanical engineering disciplines, in particular from robotics, dynamics, and structural analysis.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Online Textbook
Demonstration Videos
Photo of a wheeled robot rolling over a small bump, and a force vector diagram of that situation.
The 2.086 Mobile Robot suspension system. (Photo and diagram courtesy of James Penn. Used with permission.)